FIREARMS can be surrendered at Brierley Hill police station during a two-week campaign this May.

West Midland Police has announced the firearms surrender from Monday, May 14 to Sunday, May 27, in a bid to tackle violent crime.

The last surrender saw nearly 250 potentially lethal weapons and ammunition handed in to the force, comprising over 100 working firearms including rifles, shotguns, revolvers and handguns.

In addition, silencers, starting pistols, air weapons and two deactivated machine guns including an SKS 7 and a ‘tommy gun ’ were taken into local police stations across the force area.

Already this year the force has taken 53 firearms off the streets amid 45 reported firearms discharges, compared to 62 in the same period last year.

Detective Inspector Rod Rose, from the Force’s CID Prevent team, said: "Previous gun surrenders have proved very successful in removing firearms from our streets and we have an excellent track record of putting criminals who create fear and violence through firearms before the courts, with ten gang members recently jailed for more than 70 years - and just last week two more were jailed for over 12 years for possession of an illegal firearm.

"Although enforcement activity is important, it is vital that police, partners and the community work together to stop young people being involved in violent crime and gang activity before it gets to that stage.

"There is significant community support for this activity, and we’re working with other agencies as well to try and make our towns and cities safe for local people."

Weapons can be surrendered at any West Midlands Police station, include the Brierley Hill station on Bank Street, or by calling the force on 101 and arranging for officers to make home visits.

It’s also hoped the surrender will stop unused shotguns or antique firearms - often World War relics gathering dust in loft spaces - from potentially falling into the hands of criminals.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "Every weapon taken off the streets is potentially a life saved.

"Initiatives such as this are effective because they have the support of the local community.

"The consequences of violent crime have a devastating impact."

Guns can be surrendered anonymously but the history of live weapons handed in will be checked for any evidence of criminal use.

The firearms will either be destroyed at the West Midlands Police armoury or retained for training exercises.

Brierley Hill police station is open 8am - 10pm.